According to Allen Burdick, President of Benchmark Media, the long-awaited ADC1 will be available in a matter of weeks. When I said something along the lines of "yeah, right" he assured it me it is indeed very soon now. As anyone following this unit knows, there are to be two versions, the ADC1 line level and the ADC preamp version. The ADC1 line level input version will be the first released and will have all the features as promised. If it sounds as good as the Benchmark DAC1, then we are all in for a treat. Allen swore me to secrecy regarding the ADC1 preamp version, as they are re-conceiving some design features of it. So there's not much I can say except that I really like the direction Benchmark Media is taking with it. The ADC1 preamp version is actually spawning a couple interesting new products, so keep your ears to the ground regarding this. Also, Benchmark has an upgrade program for early production units of their DAC1 converter. In later production runs Benchmark switched to a different volume pot and also upgraded the internal crystal so that the unit becomes a true 24/192k converter. If you'll remember, the DAC1 was originally advertised as a 24/96k conveter. It's now 24/192k with an upgraded volume pot, and early DAC1 units can be returned to the factory and upgraded for $50. A very reasonable cost in my opinion. As far as which serial numbers this includes I don't know, but if your DAC1 has the smooth volume pot with no detents then I believe it is eligible for the upgrade. Contact Benchmark for further information. According to Allen Burdick, the crystal upgrade also lowers the DAC1's already amazingly low distortion specs from almost nothing to even less of almost nothing. Look for a number of new products from Benchmark in the next year or so. Albert

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More From: BENCHMARK MEDIA

• Benchmark Media Ships New ADC1 A/D Converter 28-Oct-05
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